Obama conducts review of Boston bombings case

Apr. 21, 2013
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President Obama / Charles Dharapak, AP

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

President Obama met with his National Security Council on Saturday to review the Boston Marathon bombings and discuss the way forward.

"The president commended the work that was done to pursue justice in the Boston Marathon bombing, and underscored the need to continue gathering intelligence to answer the remaining questions about this terrorist attack going forward," said a White House statement.

The Situation Room conference took place as suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev remained hospitalized in Boston after he was caught Friday; a second suspect, brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was killed during a police shootout earlier.

In remarks Friday night at the White House, Obama vowed to get to the bottom of the reasons for the Boston attack. He also urged Americans to be patient, making apparent references to reports that the suspect are Muslim and have ties to the troubled Russian republic of Chechnya.

"It's important that we do this right," Obama said. "That's why we have investigations. That's why we relentlessly gather the facts. That's why we have courts. And that's why we take care not to rush to judgment -- not about the motivations of these individuals; certainly not about entire groups of people."

A White House readout:

"President Obama convened the National Security Council in the Situation Room (on Saturday) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to review the events in Boston.

"The president was updated by Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Monaco, National Security Adviser Donilon, Attorney General Holder, FBI Director Mueller, and Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano on the apprehension of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, and the related investigation.

"He was also briefed by the leadership of the intelligence community, including DNI Clapper and Director Brennan, about our ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and protect the American people.

"The president commended the work that was done to pursue justice in the Boston Marathon bombing, and underscored the need to continue gathering intelligence to answer the remaining questions about this terrorist attack going forward.

"As he did last night, the president also expressed appreciation for the efforts made by state and local officials, and law enforcement, in Boston and Massachusetts. Vice President Biden joined the meeting via video-conference."